The North Carolina Mason

May/June 2010 SENIOR MomeNts WhiteStone updating By Mark Kolada Administrator WhiteStone Since 1912, WhiteStone: A Masonic and Eastern Star Commu- nity, has provided excellence in retirement living for our fraternal members from all across the state. Today, WhiteStone continues to move forward on its exciting renovation and development plans, in order to give its residents the best amenities and services possible. Over the past several months a lot has taken place on our campus, and even more change is coming. Here is a summary of what is going on with your Masonic and East- ern Star community in Greensboro. First, renovation work has been completed in the Bennett residen- tial building. In 2009, work began on repairing the building’s elevator and while making these repairs renovation work began on the third floor to replace the drywall, ceiling tiles, lighting, and the hallway carpet. Due to the success of this project it was decided to renovate the remaining three floors of the building, which has taken place over the past few months. Residents of this building are excited to see the transformation and new updated look. Secondly, in January, work began on building two new homes and four duplexes in the Independent Living village. Anyone that has visited the campus lately will notice the big mounds of dirt being moved. Five of the six units have been pre-sold and will be added to the current 48 houses currently on campus. If all goes well, the first duplex will be completed in July, and the last house will be finished in September. With the spring season came the fitness center project. Beginning in March, the old multipurpose room in the Care and Wellness Cen- ter underwent a remarkable transition into a state of the art fitness center. Opened in late April, the fitness center features several cardio machines and numerous air compressed weight machines to help our residents and staff maintain a healthy lifestyle. To date, the fitness center is utilized on average by 15 to 20 residents and staff daily. Be- sides the fitness center, the clinic area was updated with new carpet, artwork, and furniture in our lobby. Our next big project, beginning in July 2010, is the renovation of A new fitness center has been completed in the Care and Wellness Center. the Linville Administration building. Tis exciting renovation project will convert the first floor of the Linville building into a clubhouse for residents, with an updated library, game room, resident store, lounge, and arts and crafts room. Te basement floor will be gutted and re- done to house a new conference room, marketing area, and adminis- trative offices. Te front of the building will be re-graded, and a new front entrance built, so that residents can enter the building at grade, making it much more accessible for residents and visitors. We expect this project to be completed by the end of 2010. Finally, at the May WhiteStone Board of Directors meeting, it was decided to split the original new development building of 76 apartments into two smaller phases, with the first phase featuring Mileposts 46 one- and two-bedroom units. Te first phase will also include renovating the dining room and rotunda, as well as adding a large multipurpose room and bistro to the campus. WhiteStone cur- rently has 28 apartments pre-sold, and would only need four more sales over the next several months to reach the permanent financ- ing needed to begin construction of the new buildings. If all goes according to plan, the new construction would begin in early 2011 and be completed in time for the start of the community’s 100 year anniversary in 2012. As you can see, many positive changes are taking place at White- Stone. Tis summer, Masons 65 and older will be receiving a letter from me asking them to consider WhiteStone as a retirement des- tination. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about WhiteStone, I invite you to schedule an appointment today to learn more about our expansion plans and experience how White- Stone could fit into your future. Call (336) 547-2947 to schedule an appointment with one of our marketing staff and join the hundreds of satisfied Masonic residents living an active and healthy lifestyle. The North Carolina Mason Page 7 A library to be built in the Linville renovation is seen in this computer rendering. ELIZABETHTOWN — Members STONY POINT — Service awards were distributed at Stony Point 593 March 23. George Herbert DeLauder got his Diamond Jubilee Award for 60 years membership. Benny Mack Kerley received his Veterans’ Award for 50 years service. Seen making the presentations are, from left, 30th DDGM Lloyd Weatherman, Kerley, DeLauder, and 30th DDGL Lance Hegler. — Neil Starnes of Bladen 646 recently traveled to Curtis Callihan’s home to deliver his Diamond Jubilee Award for 60 years as a Mason. Several family members were on hand. Callihan turned 95 in December. After the presentation, re- freshments were served, and Callihan shared several Masonic stories. — Larry W. Simmons ROBBINSVILLE — On March 9, Grand Master William L. Dill, right, presented Burl L. Orr, left, his Diamond Jubilee Award. The award goes to North Carolina Masons who have been members for 60 years. Orr has served Robbins- ville 672 as master five times, the first being in 1956. He has also been lodge secretary and treasurer and was district deputy grand master in the early 1960s. — Jim Hyde ARAPAHOE — Members of Rainbow 479 recently visited SWANSBORO — Rona Bell Riggs, center, was recently made ROBBINSVILLE — O. W. Hooper Jr., left, received his Vet- eran’s Emblem for 50 years Masonic membership on March 9. Hooper was secretary of Robbinsville 672 for 32 years. He is seen here receiving the award from Grand Master William L. Dill. Seventy-five Masons from ten lodges were on hand for the presentation. — Jim Hyde a life member of Seaside 429. Seen here presenting the honor are, left, District Deputy Grand Master Jeff Styron and, right, Seaside Master Greg Padgett. Riggs has been a Mason 62 years. — Greg Padgett Richard Oliver Crystal’s retirement home in Greenville to deliv- er his Veterans’ Emblem honoring his 50 years membership in the fraternity. In addition to being a past master, he served for several years as treasurer. Seen here, from left, are Rainbow Master Da- vid Peterson, Crystal, and Glenwood Tyndall Jr. — H. T. Banks HERTFORD — Perquimans 106’s Thomas “Erie” Haste Jr., HIGH POINT — Acacia 674 member Alvin F. Brucke, center, recently received his Veteran’s Emblem honoring his 50 years as a Mason. He is seen here with Acacia Master Lewis E. Williams, left, and C. Joe Honeycutt. — Joe Honeycutt right, was presented his Veterans’ Emblem for 50 years as a Ma- son on April 20. Perquimans Master Joe Elliott made the presen- tation. Haste is the son-in-law of North Carolina’s 1953 Grand Master Edwin T. Howard. — Paul Gregory for serving 48 years as Warsaw 677 treasurer. Master Raymond Turner, right, made the presentation. WARSAW — Jimmy Strickland, left, was honored recently — L. C. Jones

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